WHAT MAKES

MEDICINE SCIENTIFIC

?

Dr. Remya Krishnan MD PhD (Ay)

Associate Professor , Ayurveda

Scientific method – AS CONSIDERED TODAY

Make observations

Check whether the observation is consistent

with the current theories

Formulate new hypothesis

Test new hypothesis

Check whether new hypothesis is better

explanation based on statistics .

Adopt new theory based on new observations

Unscientific method – AS CONSIDERED

TODAY

Make new observation

Check whether the observations match with

what you expected to see

Any chance of getting better results

If yes, develop a new way of getting right

results

If no, your observation is flawed .

Scientific / Unscientific

Today ,both “scientific “ as well as “ unscientific

methods “ are based on existing theories and

tested hypothesis .

“Scientific” could get transformed to “unscientific

“ and vice versa also , any time.

The method used for examination of scientificity is

“probability “ based.

In clinical research, the object of examination is

“living body “and its response with high degree of

variability in accordance to individual cause and

circumstances .

Scientific method, today

Scientific method is considered today as an unending process of observation and refinement .

But it is important to know that the knowledge acquired by observation is dependent on the knowledge required for observation.

For eg, to observe an elephant , we need to know about the fundamental nature and laws pertaining to a living elephant.

If we observe an hippopotamus as elephant based on the information in current theory AND CONTINUE RESEARCH , not only that we are misled , but also misleading others.

Fundamental theorems

So there should be fundamental theorems and laws to guide “what to observe “, “how to observe” , “where to observe” , “why to observe” and “when to observe “.

There should also be fundamental laws and theorems (proven, established and confirmed ) which explain the fundamental nature and behaviour of the subject of examination for guidance and reference in every stage of observation .

Hypothesis versus educated

guess

Hypothesis is guess work based .

If research is initiated from theories ( incomplete proof) and not theorems (complete proof) , formulating a series of hypothesis is only possible. Conclusion is impossible

Research initiated from true science aims at arriving conclusive knowledge based on atleast that specific problem.

Research initiated from true science do not shift from probability to probability.

Methods of experimentation

The methods of experimentation of modern science is observation (data analysis) and statistical reasoning.

This is because Modern science constitutes theories based on testing random observations owing to lack of solid theorems and laws as validation base .

The method of experimentation of Ayurveda is Prathyaksha (sensory perception), Anumana ( assumptions) and Yukti ( science based rationale )

All these methods are guided by basic science of Ayurveda [siddhanthas (theorems) and tatwas(principles) ]in all stages of validation.

Standardised techniques

Prathyaksha –Knowledge led prathyaksha .

(Knowledge gives guidelines for what to look

for, why, how, when , where and how).

Anumana – Knowledge led anumana

(Knowledge provides substratum for making

assumptions)

Yukti – Knowledge led yukti ( Knowledge

provides substratum for reasoning and arrive

at conclusions)

Scientific techniques

As these techniques are appropriately led by

unbiased concrete fundamental knowledge

(science) , these techniques are “scientific” .

The interpretation of results obtained by these

techniques are led by methods explained in

the fundamental knowledge (science) itself .

These techniques are the inbuilt scientific

ways of showing that the theorems are the

best “proofs” to guide research.

Scientific method in

Ayurveda

Starts from knowledge (Basic science)

Basic science led Observation

Basic science led Assumptions

Basic science led logical Reasoning

Basic science led Conclusions

Scientific method

Make observations which are consistent with science.

Experiment the cause(s) -mechanism(s) behind the observations in human being by diagnostic and treatment principles of Basic science .

Arrive at solid conclusions and explore the cause- mechanism- effect by accurate standards of science based assumption and reasoning .

Optimise the application of theorems to new requirements specific to individual.

Scientific method is a process by which we try

to understand how the natural and physical

world /humanbeing works based on the laws

of nature and how it came to be that way.

For that, we require basement knowledge of

nature of humanbeing and his nature of

response to changing environment

Science is Objective = Not influenced by

feelings, interests and prejudices; UNBIASED

Quality control for science before

medicine

Quality control is required for science (knowledge ) first before its application .

Different scientists may get different solutions to the same problem ??????

Are they unbiassed?Results can be influenced by the race, gender, nationality, religion, politics or economic interests of the scientist.

• Sampling or measurement bias can result in different solutions to the same problem

Objectivity

Objectivity is the key to good science.

To make objective, the findings are to be

accurately appraised based on standardised

knowledge devoid of uncertainity .

Objectivity

1. Same results yielded by the same rationale, when applied in identical circumstances

• 2.Clearly demonstrable by standardised science based experimentation –assumption -reasoning techniques and conclusion

• 3.Permanent valid conclusions .

Scientifically proven?

Scientifically proven- Proven by science

(rationale), not statistics (data).

Scientific conclusions well clarify the science

of particular situation in specific .

Science of human “being”

True sciences of humanbeings possess inbuilt

appraisal techniques for validation.

True sciences of humanbeings do not need to

incorporate alien appraisal techniques from

outside.

The mechanisms in a living body cannot be

precisely estimated by application of inert

sciences.

The mechanisms of a living body in its own

unique circumsances could be best estimated

by the complete “ Science of life “ ( Ayurveda)

Unscientific observations

Technology only aids in observations .

Science appraises the observations by science based reasoning techniques.

Science based reasoning techniques are devoid of probability as they are based on laws of fundamental nature of man.

Every individual observation requires science based reasoning of its own circumstances .

Generalized population -data based observations are unscientific observations .

Unscientific

observations

Unscientific observations are ineffective in

medical science as they lead to unscientific

interpretation and results .

Probability based statitics being not led by

“science of life” , is an unscientific method of

assumption and reasoning in human beings.

So what is counted as scientific today in

today’s medical practice is very unscientific .

This happens owing to imperfect knowledge

regarding what is science in living beings.

The difference between inert sciences and life

science is very vast .

Multi disciplinary inert life

sciences(biochemistry, botany, cell biology,

and molecular biology etc) together will NOT

constitute the “Science of life”

Let off the probabilities

Let us learn to adopt inbuilt scientific

methodologies in Ayurveda!!!

Let off the probabilities and enjoy clinical

practice and research by true “scientific “ ways

!!

THANK

YOU